Tory backbenchers revolt

Tough new plans to expel rebel Tory candidates triggered anger in the party today.

Backbenchers are in revolt over a new disciplinary rule book drawn up by party officials. It sets out 15 grounds on which Conservatives can be struck off approved candidate lists.

Until now there have been no set disciplinary guidelines for Tory MPs and candidates. The new rules, unveiled by party vice-chairman Andrew Mackay, are designed to maintain order in the run-up to elections. But some MPs want the rules scrapped, claiming they limit free speech and could be used to kick out anyone who does not toe the party line.

The criteria for deselection include proclaiming views incompatible with the views of the party, making public statements against the party leadership and "being the cause of embarrassing media coverage".

But MP Bill Cash said: "These rules give party officials an unacceptable level of control and totally inhibit free speech. What would have happened to Winston Churchill under rules such as this?" He said the rules could be used to expel MPs during general election campaigns, once Parliament has been dissolved.

At least 1,000 copies of the rule sheets have been sent out for prospective candidates to sign.

Senior Tory Sir Patrick Cormack was last night returned as the MP for Staffordshire South. The poll was postponed after Liberal Democrat candidate Jo Harrison died.